Travel

Disney World and Universal have an incredible selection of rides whether you’re into thrill rides or gentler kid-friendly ones

I spent an incredible two weeks visiting both Disney World and Universal in Florida. The two parks are enormous and there’s more to do in both of them than anyone can possibly do in a fortnight.

Disney World’s scale, especially, is hard to believe. It is effectively its own city or county. It is comparable in size to San Francisco in the USA or Manchester in the UK and is twice the size of Manhattan. It has its own roads and transport system including ferries, a cable car network and 490 buses. For comparison, the entire Cardiff Bus network has 171 buses.

Around 58 million people visit Disney World every year. Estimates from the ONS indicate that there were around 42.6m inbound visits to the UK in 2024. Disney World employs 80,000 people, making it the largest employer in the state of Florida.

Universal seems small in comparison but by any other measure Universal itself is also huge. And its comparatively smaller size gives it plenty of advantages, particularly in allowing guests to “hop” easily between some parks on foot, something that’s not possible in Disney World.

Of course, both Disney World and Universal, which are both near Orlando, are about far more than rides. There are countless shows on everything from Beauty and the Beast to Indiana Jones, as well as parades, fireworks and character meets, not to mention thousands of shops. But for many people the rides take centre stage.

In two weeks, I did more than 50 of them. I was travelling with young children so I got to sample the “thrill” rides as well as those for younger children. Both are a huge part of the Disney and Universal experiences and many of the kids’ rides are just as enjoyable as the more adrenaline-pumping (and, at times, frankly insane) flagship roller coasters. So I’ve included both in the list to help you make the most of your trip, especially if you’re visiting as a family. But one ride will live in the memory more than any other. Here are my top 10 rides from both Disney World and Universal, ranked in order:

10. Ko’okiri Body Plunge – Volcano Bay, Universal

At the heart of Universal’s Volcano Bay water park is the volcano itself. And going from the top to the bottom via a 125ft drop, 70-degree fall through a dark tube is this body plunge ride. You start to realise how scary this drop is going to be during your long climb up the stairs to the top – it’s way higher than it looks. You begin the ride by climbing into a one-person pod at the top. Then, with no warning, the floor gives way and you plummet to the bottom at blistering speed, emerging into a pool at the bottom. Watch it here:

9. Avatar Flight of Passage – Animal Kingdom, Disney World

The queue for this ride is an event in itself. You pass through an “active ACE (Alpha Centauri Expeditions) research lab” complete with working experiments and a life-size Avatar in a tank before you reach the linking chamber where you have fun while linking to your avatar. This journey builds up a huge amount of anticipation for the ride itself but nothing prepares you for what is to come. You put on 3D glasses and board your own mountain banshee before embarking on a totally immersive flight. Though your seat doesn’t actually go anywhere (though it does tilt and turn to an often- terrifying degree) the ride is completely immersive and you really feel like you’re flying. It’s a Disney must-ride! Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios is a similarly brilliant experience.

8. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – Epic Universe, Universal

Monsters Unchained is the marquee attraction of Dark Universe at Universal’s new Epic Universe and tells the story of Dr Victoria Frankenstein’s attempt to control Dracula in her “ultimate challenge”. Like Avatar above, the build-up to this ride is as much of an attraction as the ride itself, building suspense as you go, not least when riders are shown a model of the chair they’ll be sitting on being hurled around by an enormous robotic arm as a crazed scientist Igor raves at them on a screen. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Studios is a similar style of ride and just as good.

7. Haunted Mansion – Magic Kingdom, Disney World

In some ways, Haunted Mansion is a much gentler version of Monsters Unchained. There’s far less motion to the two-person Doom Buggy carriages that take you through the mansion as the disembodied voice of a ghostly host guides you through so it’s kid-friendly (though obviously there’s a major supernatural theme). The part of the ride where ghosts dance as a pianist plays is fantastic. I loved this ride, all the more so for being able to experience it with my nine-year-old daughter and five-year-old son.

6. ET Adventure – Universal Studios, Universal

There are lots of gentle-ish flying rides across the two parks and you should also try Peter Pan’s flight at Magic Kingdom. But this was the pick of the bunch for me, especially for some pretty serious childhood nostalgia vibes. You sit on a bicycle as you try to avoid chasing police and secretive forces to get ET home. It’s wonderful.

5. Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges – Islands of Adventure, Universal

There are lots of fantastic water rides across Disney and Universal and I could have picked any number of them here. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom is superb, featuring a major and thrilling drop at the end. Pirates of the Caribbean, also at Magic Kingdom, is also fantastic, with pirates so realistic I found myself checking with fellow riders that some of them were not in fact actors. Na’vi River Journey at Epcot is stunning, with the animatronic Na’vi Shaman seen towards the end of the ride reportedly the most advanced Audio-Animatronics figure ever designed by Walt Disney Imagineering at a reported cost of $23m.

Living with the Land at Epcot is a one-of-a-kind (very) gentle educational boat ride, as are It’s a Small World at Magic Kingdom and Jungle Cruise in the same park, one of very few rides which comes with a host (Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom is another). Jurassic Park River Adventure at Islands of Adventure is also brilliant – and exciting.

But I’ve gone for Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges at Universal’s Islands of Adventure as my pick of the bunch. It’s a great white water ride without being excessive so it’s kid-friendly. And it gets you absolutely soaked.

4. Tron Lightcycle/Run – Magic Kingdom, Disney World

This exceptional ride sees riders climb aboard their very own Lightcycle and take off on a high-speed adventure, racing against the Grid’s most menacing “programs”. Part of the ride takes place in daylight under the ride’s domed roof where you soar at speed above the park-goers on foot below, with the other half of the ride in near darkness set against thrilling screens. Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot was another futuristic contender for this spot, but the additional spinning on that roller coaster made it too much to handle and Tron was a much smoother and more enjoyable ride.

3. Fearless River – Volcano Bay, Universal

If you thought you liked a lazy river, then wait until you try the Fearless River at Universal, which my family all took to calling the “crazy river”. We went around it so many times I lost count, with the kids refusing to leave for large parts of the day, usually to my secret delight. A strong current carries you around the river as you float in large rubber rings (or just swim) at a pretty fast pace, with big, chopping waves and churning rapids adding to the adventure. Life jackets are a must for adults as well as the kids. It’s amazing.

2. Surf Pool – Typhoon Lagoon, Disney World

There are wave machines… and then there’s the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool. I’d seen so many videos of this before arriving at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and wasn’t convinced it was real until I saw it with my own eyes. The Surf Pool is the centrepiece of this Disney water park and is a relatively calm and enjoyable pool for the most part. But every 90 seconds a “sonic boom” is heard sparking immediate squeals and screams of excitement at what is to come: a six-foot wave that comes surging through the pool consuming everything in its path. Some experienced lagoon-goers are able to body-surf it. Others, like me, were just battered. At one point, it knocked me into a backwards somersault. I’ve never seen anything like it.

1. Velocicoaster – Islands of Adventure, Universal

Of all the amazing rides throughout Disney World and Universal, this one stands out as the best. I’d been watching videos of it for weeks and was so nervous about riding it that I didn’t know I’d follow through with it until I was at the front of the queue and stepping on to the ride with a thumping heart.

Velocicoaster is the fastest and tallest launch coaster in Florida, launching to 70mph in 2.4 seconds. The Velocicoaster’s “top hat” is 155-feet tall, with riders plunging from its peak down an 80-degree drop. There are inversions and the “Mosasaurus roll” which inverts riders over water at 53mph to end the ride. A truly incredible experience that I will never forget. Other superb roller coasters I tried were Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in the Islands of Adventure and Stardust Racers at Epic Universe. The Crush n Gusher water coaster at Typhoon Lagoon is also fantastic, as is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom. For a gentler ride for younger children that’s still fun, try the Trolls Trollercoaster at Universal Studios.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is known around the world for its impressive length, but many don’t know that they can go further and enter one of the most dangerous countries on Earth

The world’s longest direct train journey takes eight days to reach its destination – and crosses into one of the world’s most secretive countries. Since June, direct passenger trains have been running from the Russian capital of Moscow all the way to North Korea’s Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un’s hermit kingdom remains one of the most secretive – and feared – nations on Earth, with the tyrant’s iron fist seeing residents executed for the simple act of watching foreign TV.

That’s a staggering journey of 6,213 miles and makes it by far the longest train journey on Earth, according to the Guinness World Records.

A large portion of the trip uses the Trans-Siberian Railway, that runs across Russia from the capital Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the east. Spanning a total of 9,288 kilometres (5,772 miles), that in itself is the longest single track in the entire world.

Passengers travelling from Russia to North Korea will travel in a specially-made carriage that is attached to the regular Trans-Siberian Railway service. Once arriving in Vladivostok, the carriage is then reattached to another train and carries on to Pyongyang.

These services were quite infrequent to begin with before being forced to grind to a total halt following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, however, the hermit kingdom has been trying to patch up its relationship with Russia, going as far as to send North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

Very few Westerners have dared to travel the full way from Moscow to Pyongyang. One group documented their trip back in 2018 and shared what the conditions on board have been like. As they boarded the train in Moscow, they explained that the dedicated Korean carriage was clear to see.

They claimed it was clear to see the train has not been kept in the best condition. “It was cold inside our compartment — no heating, maybe 10 degrees,” the travellers explained, adding that heating would not be turned on for several hours. “If it’s cold outside this period, the cars are individually heated with a coal stove, which is located in every car.

“However, individual heating requires that coal is available – and this was not the case in our North Korean sleeping car, but no problem, we had warm clothes.

“However, the water-boiler was working, so preparing tea, coffee and instant-noodles was possible.”

North Korea’s feared reputation is not without reason. The government is known to monitor all forms of communication by residents, to ensure there is no contact with the outside world. Thousands have been detained in “political prison camps” for “crimes” such as trying to flee the country or practising their religion.

Food is often withheld from the wider population, instead prioritising the elite and military. According to the UN, 10.7million, ore more than 40% of the entire population, are undernourished.

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to Brits travelling to eight new countries after a number of recent cases of methanol poisoning were reported

Travellers are being urged to exercise extra caution while on holiday amid rising concerns about poisoning cases. Experts at MoneySuperMarket have issued new advice following the Foreign Office’s addition of eight more countries to its list of methanol warnings just last month.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a clear, flammable liquid present in products like paint and antifreeze. However, it is sometimes also illegally added to alcoholic drinks and cocktails in bars to cut costs. This practice can be extremely dangerous, as even tiny quantities can cause severe, irreversible damage — including blindness or death — within 48 hours.

Alicia Hempsted, travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, explained: “Methanol is a type of alcohol often used in antifreeze and windshield washer fluid and is highly toxic if consumed. Early symptoms can include vomiting and drowsiness but as poisoning worsens, it may lead to abdominal pain, vertigo, difficulty breathing, blurred vision and even blindness.”

Doctors Without Borders reports that thousands of people are poisoned by methanol annually. Fatality rates often range from 20% to 40%, depending on the concentration and the amount ingested.

In light of this, Ms Hempsted said the ‘safest approach’ would be to drink from sealed bottles when abroad and never leave beverages unattended. She also urged travellers to take out travel insurance to provide cover for any possible medical emergencies.

Ms Hempsted said: “Unfortunately, even when you take every possible precaution, emergencies can still happen when you’re abroad. Travel insurance can provide cover for emergency medical expenses and hospital treatments helping to protect you from financial and additional personal stress if the worst does happen.”

She also added: “If you experience any of the symptoms of methanol poisoning, or suspect you may have consumed it, you must seek immediate medical attention. Treatments can include an antidote or dialysis, depending on how advanced the poisoning is.”

Where are the eight new warnings about methanol poisoning?

In October, the Foreign Office added new guidance on methanol poisoning to the travel pages for eight countries. This included:

1. Ecuador
2. Kenya
3. Japan
4. Mexico
5. Nigeria
6. Peru
7. Uganda
8. Russia

Previously, the Foreign Office only issued guidance on methanol poisoning in countries where British nationals had been affected. These countries include Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Fiji.

According to a previous Mirror report, Hamish Falconer, the minister responsible for Consular and Crisis, said in October: “Methanol poisoning can kill – it can be difficult to detect when drinking and early symptoms mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning. By the time travellers realise the danger, it can be too late.

“That’s why we’re working hard to raise awareness of the warning signs and urging anyone who suspects methanol poisoning to seek immediate medical attention. I encourage all travellers to check our travel advice and Travel Aware pages before they go on holiday.

“No family should endure what the campaigners’ families have suffered. Their determination to prevent others facing the same tragedy has been instrumental in driving forward these vital updates to our travel advice.”

For more information, visit GOV.UK here.

Nov. 14 (UPI) — Federal authorities on Friday lowered the mandatory flight reductions at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports to 3% as of Saturday morning.

The Transportation Department and Federal Aviation Administration announced the change on Friday and after lowering the mandatory flight reductions to 6% at the same airports because the federal shutdown has ended and more airports are sufficiently staffed.

“The decision reflects improvements in air traffic controller staffing levels and a continued decline in staffing-trigger events across the National Airspace System,” the DOT and FAA said Friday in a news release.

The 3% staffing reduction will remain in effect while the FAA monitors the national air traffic system through the weekend and determines whether normal operations can resume as early as Monday.

The FAA reported only three staffing triggers on Friday, which is down from a record high of 81 on Nov. 8.

A staffing trigger refers to airports that have fewer air. traffic controllers available to safely conduct normal operations.

The staffing triggers compel the FAA to reduce flights at respective airports or impose other restrictions to help ensure safety.

Many air traffic controllers called in sick or quit and accepted other jobs as the record 43-day federal government shutdown prevented them from being paid.

The new 3% flight reductions at the 40 airports take effect. at 6 a.m. local time.

The reduction in mandatory flight cuts at the nation’s busiest airports raises the potential for no flight reductions when the Thanksgiving holiday approaches on Nov. 27.

Thanksgiving traditionally is the busiest travel holiday, but mandated flight reductions due to the government shutdown raised the potential for chaotic holiday travel.

It’s that time of year when many people think about booking a European winter getaway to hit the snowy slopes on their skis or boards, and there’s one picturesque location that comes with a discounted price tag

Taking to the snow-covered slopes for skiing or snowboarding is a notoriously expensive getaway for anyone, particularly when you factor in equipment hire, lessons, accommodation and flights. However, one savvy savings expert has revealed the European skiing hotspot that costs just £200 per person – and that’s with everything included!

Travel expert, Chelsea, who has accumulated more than 180K followers on TikTok thanks to her holiday-saving hacks, appeared on This Morning to reveal a nifty hack that helps save hundreds of pounds when booking a desirable skiing holiday. Speaking to Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, Chelsea explained she had just booked a three-night ski getaway to Zakopane in Poland for a mere £200.

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During the ski season, Zakopane offers miles of powdery white snow within the Tatras Mountains for a truly magnificent backdrop. The town has often been described as a “hidden gem” with inviting thermal pools after a day on the slopes and a thriving food scene.

With a budget of £200 for the “whole thing”, Chelsea said this would include a three-night trip, with flights, transfers, lessons and ski hire. Sharing further details, she said travellers can fly into Kraków and “take a two-hour bus for £7.50” to get to the resort.

Chelsea added that this particular ski resort is “fantastic for beginners and perfect for learning”, as the ski lessons and ski hire cost around £30 each per day. At various ski resorts across Europe, some lessons can cost anything from £50 to £110 a day.

Revealing how she secured this nifty deal, Chelsea explained that there’s a relatively new website called Heidi, which allows travellers to search for their desired skiing package holiday with any dates or locations they prefer. She added that users can also select certain filters, such as beginners, advanced, families, big ski area, apres-ski or opt for a short transfer.

After making the preferred selections, a list of bargain holiday packages will appear, allowing travellers to book, with many offering an incredible saving. This discounted cost is in stark contrast to other European ski resorts, where visitors can spend anywhere from £2,000 to £5,000 per person for a week.

Following her appearance on This Morning, Chelsea shared the clip on her TikTok account (@cheapholidayexpert) and divulged that she had shared details of the bargain ski trip after a caller had rang into the show. Chelsea wrote in the video caption: “Here, Jayne had asked where I could recommend for a cheap solo ski trip for under £500.”

She then went on to outline further details to help other holidaymakers cut costs this winter. Chelsea revealed: “Have a look on @Heidi Holidays, they’re a new ski website that lets you search ‘anywhere’ which is great when you’re on a budget, as then you can just go where the price is right!

“They do let you search for solo travellers too, but I think if you’re on your own, the best deals can come from booking it yourself, as then you can piece together exactly what you need without paying any double occupancy fees.

“I’ve done a DIY cheap ski trip before – I went to Borovets in Bulgaria last year and managed to get my flights, hotel, car hire, petrol, ski hire, lift pass, ski lessons, food and drink for £410 in total for a 3-night trip. I’ve got a full breakdown on cheapholidayexpert.com – just search for ‘Borovets’ on there and it will come up!”

Chelsea continued: “And yeah, I may have revealed that I’m attempting cheap ski again as I want to see if I can do it for even cheaper this year by heading to Zakopane in Poland!“Both Zakopane and Borovets (Bankso too!) are great for beginner skiers who don’t want to spend a fortune, but want to get a few lessons under their belt to get them on their ski journey!”

EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Bubb, a former airline pilot for Air Vegas Airlines, opened up about his experience as a commercial pilot and disclosed the surprising reason why window shades on planes must be lifted up

A former airline pilot has revealed the chilling reason why aircraft window blinds must be raised during take-off and landing. In an exclusive chat, Daniel Bubb, a Professor in Residence in the Honours College at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a former airline pilot for Air Vegas Airlines, offered insights into his career as a commercial pilot.

Professor Bubb served as a First-Officer who predominantly flew Beech 99s from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, as well as flying from Ontario Airport to other cities in Southern California.

The 51-year-old, who now lives in Henderson, Nevada, also served as a ground school instructor for Air Vegas Airlines. So, with this extensive experience, it’s reasonable to say that he understands aviation safety.

When questioned about crucial safety advice that passengers might not know, Professor Bubb highlighted one common aspect of air travel that may puzzle travellers.

He explained: “One safety tip I highly recommend is putting the window shade up during take off and landing. This is something I see very frequently that is concerning.

“The reason why the window shades should be up during take off and landing is, if there is an emergency, the flight attendants need to be able to see which side of the aircraft has the emergency.

“Also, if passengers are flying at night, their eyes take time to adjust. If the window shade is up, their eyes already are adjusting, which will save time when they have to evacuate the plane.”

Professor Bubb also revealed some guidance to help travellers enjoy a more pleasant journey when they take flight. According to the expert, it all boils down to remaining “patient and positive”.

He pointed out that, with packed terminals, travelling can sometimes be “frustrating and exhausting”, but also offered a series of tips to help people get the most out of the airport experience and, of course, ensure they’re comfortable.

Professor Bubb advised: “Before they get on the plane, I would recommend passengers walk around the terminal to get some exercise, especially if they are going to be sitting in a plane for several hours.

“Also, some airports have interesting amenities such as museums, local artwork, gift stores, and fitness gyms. Additionally, to make their trip more enjoyable, I highly recommend passengers be nice to flight attendants and each other.”

Acknowledging that air travel can prove “stressful”, he proposed that making flights “more enjoyable” could be accomplished through small gestures, such as showing courtesy, maintaining low volume on your devices, and assisting fellow passengers.

He emphasised that cabin crew are there for passenger safety, and a “little kindness can go a long way”. He also revealed his own habit of buying Starbucks gift cards for them, saying it can “brighten” up their day.

RYANAIR is axing 15 destinations across Europe in 2026, amid plans to scale back its operations.

It comes just months after the budget airline confirmed that two million seats would be scrapped across Spain.

Millions of Brits could be forced to change their plans as routes to major destinations, mainly in Germany and Spain, are scrapped.

Plans to scale back operations in France have also been announced.

Just a few months ago Ryanair cancelled all services to three French destinations.

The cancelled routes come as Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary pushes back against rising air tax costs.

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Here’s the full list of affected routes:

Spain

Back in August, Ryanair said confirmed that two million seats across Spain would be being scrapped.

The destinations is said it would be closing operations and ceasing flights to were:

• Santiago de Compostela
• Vigo
• Valladolid
• Jerez
• Tenerife (North)

Tensions over increased airport charges had affected relations with the state-owned Spanish operator Aena.

Mr O’Leary said at the time: “If the costs in regional Spain are too high, I will fly elsewhere.

“We are better off flying at the same cost to places such as Palma [on the island of Mallorca] than flying to Jerez.”

Germany

In October, Ryanair announced it was dropping 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting nearly 800,000 seats in total.

It was revealed that nine airports would be affected, along with the plans of those wanting a winter break, and including to major cities that are popular with tourists.

These are:

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Memmingen
• Baden-Württemberg
• Cologne
• Frankfurt-Hahn
• Dortmund
• Dresden
• Leipzig

Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said back in August: “Germany’s air travel market is broken and needs an urgent fix.

“As a result of these high government taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.”

France

Ryanair cut services to France in 2025 – with the loss of 25 routes and some 750,000 seats this winter following the decision to drop services to Strasbourg, Brive and Bergerac.

Now though, it has been revealed that further cancellations are possibly looming.

CEO Jason McGuiness has confirmed thar Ryanaire will leave France’s regional airports in the summer of 2026.

However, as yet, no official destinations have been named yet.

The actions of the airline earlier in the year caused a 13 per cent reduction in its capacity in France.

Mr O’Leary told French newspaper Le Parisien: “You have this crazy situation where your government increases the solidarity tax on airline tickets (TSBA), which has gone from 2.63 euros to 7.40 euros per ticket. 180% increase! It’s totally unjustified.”

He added that commercial flying was a “rotten sector that does not bring in a lot of money.”

He also accused the French government of viewing airlines as their personal “tax collectors,” as well as making the claim that “French air traffic control is by far the least effective in Europe.”

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However, five European cities will be getting new Ryanair flights as part of the airline’s winter schedule.

Plus, here is everything you need to know about whether you can use a printed boarding pass, including rules for Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Jet2 explained.

ARGUABLY the most famous waterfalls in the world is Niagara Falls – but did you know that just a few hours away in Europe there is a miniature version of the natural wonder?

In under three hours Brits can fly to Bosnia and Herzegovina where you’ll find the beautiful Kravica Waterfall.

The pretty natural site is tucked away in the village of Studenci which is near the country’s border close to Croatia.

The smaller waterfall is 82 feet high and 393 feet wide.

In comparison, the Horseshoe Falls, which is one of the three Niagara waterfalls is about 188 feet high and 2,200 feet wide.

Visitors to the Kravica Waterfall have called it “spectacular” with one of the highlights being able to swim in the natural lake.

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One person wrote on Tripadvisor: “It’s a magical and surreal place with lots of streams as you walk down for kids to play in.

“It was like a scene from Jumanji or journey to the centre of the earth. The waterfall is hidden in a basin, surrounded by lush trees.”

Surrounding the falls are on-site restaurants and a few shops.

Bosnia and Herzegovina itself was named a top trending destination for 2025 – and a cheap one too.

The capital, Sarajevo, has some of the cheapest beers in Europe with a local pint costing £1.81.

According to Wise, you can get a three-course meal for two for 50.00 KM (£22.61) and a regular cappuccino 3.29 KM (£1.49).

In Sarajevo, you can visit Baščaršija which is the city’s oldest bazaar and is considered the cultural centre of the city.

Here you can try traditional dishes like cevapi, flatbreads filled with grilled meat, and burek, flaky pastries filled with cheese, spinach or even sour cherry for dessert.

Also in the capital are attractions including the War Tunnel, or Tunnel of Hope, left over from the Bosnian war that was originally built in 1993 to get aid and humanitarian supplies into the city.

Further south is the city of Mostar which is home to the historic Stari Most otherwise known as the Old Bridge.

Stari Most was first built in 1566, destroyed in 1993, and rebuilt in 2004. It is huge and towers 78 feet above the Neretva River.

Another famous site in the south is the Blagaj Tekija Monastery in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The monastery is built into a cliffside just above the very blue Buna River and is known to be a spiritual retreat.

Tourists are allowed inside year-round as long as they adhere to the dress code.

Men must wear long trousers below the knees and women must be covered with a scarf and wear a long skirt.

The monastery is usually included in tours of Mostar, and during the summer there are short boat rides into the cave at the bottom of the cliff.

From the UK Brits can fly to Sarajevo in two hours 45 minutes. With Ryanair you can fly to the capital with flights starting from £16.

If you opt to take a trip during the summer the average daily high temperatures across the country generally range from 24C to 32C.

During the winter 15C to -3C – temperatures range a lot within the country with the coldest spots being in the mountains.

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Here’s more on the tiny European hotspot so much cheaper than Croatia – but just as beautiful with 25C temperatures in autumn.

Plus, here’s Croatia’s largest island has hilltop towns, sandy beaches and it’s own airport with direct UK flights.

DUBAI has finally cracked open its £10billion mystery islands to sun-seeking holidaymakers after they lay deserted for more than two decades.

The city has long been recognised for its architectural wonders including the 828m tall Burj Khalifa.

But the glamourous city has revealed its latest gem, known as ‘the world’s islands’, which is now officially open to tourists after years of development.

Rocky beginnings

The £10.6bn fantasy archipelago was supposed to reshape the coastline into a giant world map made from 300 man-made islands.

The mad dream began as a sketch on a cocktail napkin and back then, ambitious tycoons queued up to claim their slice of the fantasy.

There were even plans for a Giant’s Causeway on the ‘Ireland’ island and a fashion paradise overseen by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

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Bit in 2008 the crash hit and money vanished, turning the whole thing into a sandy graveyard.

The pricey stunt had costed enough dredged sand to fill Wembley nearly 100 times over.

Developers soon went bust, investors fled, and by 2011 officials were admitting the project was basically “in a coma.”

For years, the only excitement came from tourists peering out of plane windows, gawping at the ghostly outline of a world that never was.

The only resident for years was Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who quietly bagged ‘Greenland’ for a private palace in 2011.

But in true Dubai fashion, the city has refused to give up and the forgotten islands are back, open for business, and dripping in luxury.

Open for business

The islands are now open to tourists, offering a game-changing new experience.

Travellers can enjoy the World islands, which consist of 300 islands, situated just off the cost of the mainland.

Each island has been designed to mimic different countries or continents, including luxury resorts, fine dining spots and high-end beach villas.

While many are still under construction, a select few are fully accessible to tourists.

‘Heart of Europe’

Austrian developer Josef Kleindienst, snapped up half a dozen islands and nearly two decades later, his sprawling resort, ‘The Heart of Europe‘, is now open.

The islands resemble popular European destinations, including ‘Sweden,’ ‘Switzerland,’ ‘Germany,’ ‘Monaco,’ and ‘St Petersburg’.

Guests can take a trip to the glitzy Voco Monaco hotel, blasting out endless techno, offering visitors a luxury, high end party experience.

The star attraction is the bonkers “raining street,” where sprinklers blast out a fake downpour every 15 minutes.

In 35°C heat, it creates a misty, Paris-in-August atmosphere.

Further along the map, the mood shifts from rave to relaxation.

The Anantara World Islands resort offers a Maldives-on-Sea escape full of private pools, beachfront villas and pampering sessions.

Guests can even have breakfast served in their own pool.

There are also 133 floating seahorse villas, making up a £5billion floating city in the middle of the sea.

This new wave of luxury comes as Dubai doubles down on its quest to be the world’s go-to playground for the rich and restless.

More resorts and mansions are set to come through soon.

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Even a former “dead” island, ‘Chile’, is now hosting parties, while another has been reborn as ‘Zuhha Island’ with luxury villas on sale.

The World Islands were once written off as an embarrassing folly, but the new development is bound to be a game changer for the cities’ already bustling tourist scene.

VISITING London can be great, but one couple decided to ditch the Big Smoke for a trip abroad and they managed to do it for less than a day out in the capital.

Nick Choudhury, 45, and his girlfriend, Laura Allcock, 45, decided they wanted a trip abroad but had a tight budget and schedule.

So, the duo decided to fly to Milan in Italy and back, in just a day, for £27.

The couple set off from London Stansted at 7:25am on November 8, arriving in the fashion capital of the world just a couple of hours later.

During the day, the couple spent a total of £115 each, which included their return flights.

Nick, a programme manager from Ealing, London, said: “Planning trips is a military operation for us – we have to work around budgets, childcare and school holidays.

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“We both always wanted to travel but being grown-ups just got in the way of life.

“We wanted to go away for the day and get as much value for money as possible, while still enjoying ourselves.

“On the way home, we were asking ourselves ‘is this all we spent?’.”

The couple had seen other people doing similar ‘extreme day trips’ online for a while, but Milan was their first time trying one for themselves.

“It was such a nice day,” Nick added.

When in Milan the duo started by enjoying a coffee and a pastry each, they then purchased an all-day metro ticket (£6.70pp) so they could hop on and off transport as they liked throughout the day.

According to Nick, the metro was comparable to the tube in London.

As for activities, the couple headed to Piazzale Cadorna and explored the square before heading to the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ – they spent €15 (£13.26) on tickets.

Nick said: “The reverence hits you straight away.

“You can feel the history, it’s calming. It takes you to another place.”

After this they decided to hop on a tram to the cathedral and wandered around Piazza del Duomo.

They also visited the famous shopping arcade, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

The couple had prebooked one activity online, which was to go into the terraces of the cathedral – Duomo di Milano.

This cost £22.91 per person and included a pass to use the lift.

Nick said: “It’s stunning, the level of detail is crazy. I would recommend pre-booking that.”

Starbucks then provided a cheap spot for another coffee and pastry.

The final activity the couple chose to do was to visit the Navigli canal district, with picturesque canals and a vibrant social scene.

While the couple didn’t book a sit-down meal, they snacked on street foods such as panzerotti – deep-fried cheese-filled dough pockets – to ensure they didn’t go hungry.

They were even invited into a cafe by a host who said they had no customers, so he gave them a discount on their order as a result.

Following this, the duo got back on a bus – which cost £17.63 per person, for a return – to the airport and landed back down in London Stansted at 11:45pm, where they had parked their car for £17 for the day.

Nick said: “We wanted to get the main bits done – any more and we would have been rushed.

“We wanted to experience Milan in a relaxed way.

“We used public transport and walked as much as possible. Milan is a very connected place.”

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He added: “We’ll definitely go back – and I’ve already booked another ‘extreme day trip’ to go to Pisa in December with my children.

“It was great – and it cost no more than if we’d been out in London for the day.”

MORE Brits than ever are ditching the UK for Dubai, tempted by the warmer weather and tax-free incomes.

But there is a spot closer to home that more UK residents are heading to instead.

Malta is the sunny southern European archipelago that’s fast becoming a popular destination for Brits, competing with Dubai.

Aesthetically, Malta and Dubai are very different with one covered in new high rises and the other stone and medieval buildings.

But the look of the place isn’t the only aspect that’s encouraging Brits not just to visit Malta but to live there too.

Brits are packing up their belongings and flying to the sunny island country because of the lower tax rates.

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The Times reported that one Brit who moved to Malta secured a retirement visa which had a flat 15 per cent tax rate on any income remitted to the country.

The visa includes access to statutory healthcare. Malta also doesn’t tax on gains from assets like inheritance, unlike in the UK.

Housing doesn’t necessarily break the bank either.

To get this particular visa, Brits must buy a property of at least €275,000 (£242,800) or rent somewhere at least €9,600 per year (£700 a month).

Malta has cheaper private school fees compared to the UK. One woman revealed that her son’s fees had been cut in half after moving.

The government in Malta offers tax breaks to parents who go private too.

Louise Salmond Smith, the head teacher of a private school called Haileybury Malta told The Times: “The cost of living versus quality of life is often, perhaps usually, cited as a reason to think about moving elsewhere, and many say they don’t think things are likely to improve very soon.”

And while Dubai is drastically different to the UK, Malta has a taste of Britain.

The British retiree who spoke to the Times revealed: “They drive on the same side of the road, there are red postboxes, HSBCs on the corner and they have Marks & Spencer.”

One woman who moved to Malta spoke to The Sun recently revealing she loves her new life in Malta.

Dayna Camilleri Clarke and her partner have started a new life in Valletta where she revealed some of the biggest perks is that there’s council tax, no TV licence, and car insurance costs are much less.

Dayna added: “Public transport is free, a recent vet check-up for my cat cost just €25 (£21.74), and with 300 days of sunshine a year, I’ve never needed the heating or a tumble dryer.

“Life doesn’t grind to a halt in winter either. In summer, it’s all alfresco dining and harbour views; in December, the city gate glows with a Christmas market – and you can still enjoy a lunch outside in the sun.”

Head here to read more on Dayna’s move to Valletta from the best places to eat to the best street for bars.

You don’t have to pack up your life though, just pack up a suitcase like one Sun Writer did in her recent trip to the country.

Nuria Cremer-Vazquez visited Malta in sunny July, where she found you could have a very familiar meal to Brits.

Nuria said: “It was intriguing how easy it is to come across a full English on this faraway archipelago.

“The British stopped ruling Malta in 1964, but they left behind a love for this breakfast along with other cultural footprints such as UK plugs, driving on the left and speaking English (an official language here alongside Maltese).

“I got used to the unexpected sight of red telephone boxes on the streets of cities like Mdina, an ancient fortress which otherwise looked like something out of Game Of Thrones.”

Nuria also discovered you can get Aperol Spritzes for just €4 – and that there are underground tunnels under the city.

Malta carries pieces of British culture in its streets, but there’s one thing that trumps it completely – the weather.

Malta experiences mild winters where the lowest temperatures will be around 9C – but can also be as high as 16C

In the summer, you can walk about in the sun as the archipelago has average highs of 32C.

If you fancy checking out Malta for yourself, you can fly to Valletta from £16 in November.

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Plus, check out Europe’s ‘Grand Canyon’ that looks more like America with huge mountains and bright blue rivers.

For more adventure, this man left the UK to travel on £35 a day – and discovered an unheard of destination with fairytale canyons.

A festive fan who has visited more than 100 Christmas markets shared her top picks in a video

The Christmas market season has officially kicked off, with many festive fans planning European getaways. For those still undecided on where to go, travel blogger Helene Sula could know just the place. The festive enthusiast has shared a list of her top picks, from the markets with delicious food to those with the prettiest decorations.

Posting on her popular TikTok page @heleneinbetween, Helene revealed her favourite markets, as someone who has visited more than one hundred of them. She told viewers: “After going to over 100 Christmas markets, here are my awards.” Helene then shared videos from her favourite picks, sharing recommendations for fellow festive fans.

Kicking off her list, Helene said Strasbourg, in France, wins ‘best decor’. Often nicknamed the ‘Capital of Christmas’, Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, with four centuries of tradition.

The website states: “Every winter, Strasbourg is transformed into a veritable showcase of light and magic. The heart of the city beats to the rhythm of Christmas, and the streets and squares immerse you in an enchanting world where lights, decorations and scents create an unforgettable experience.”

Next, Helene awarded Frankfurt, in Germany, the title of ‘most surprising’ market, and she thought Bratislava, in Slovakia, offered the ‘best vibes’. The travel blogger loved the drinks on offer at Heidelberg, in Germany, and thought the market had the ‘best glühwein.” For ‘least crowded’, she voted Linz, in Austria.

Helene loved Brussels, in Belgium, suggesting the market offers the ‘best food’. According to the market’s website, it boasts more than 200 chalets, showcasing the capital’s heritage and culture. The blogger also shared a ‘most unique’ award, which went to Ribeauvillé, in France.

For ‘most charming’, she voted Colmar, also in France. However, Gengenbach, in Germany, won ‘most affordable.’ According to the blogger, Aachen, in Germany, deserved the ‘best shopping’ title. As for ‘best themed markets’, Helene suggested Cologne, in Germany, was a worthy winner.

She also crowned Vienna, in Austria, as the winner of the ‘most beautiful’ award. The tourism board says that Austria is the place to pick for ‘romantic Christmas markets’ with ‘glistening lights and seasonal treats’.

Finally, Helene praised Budapest, in Hungary, as the ‘best city to explore outside of the market.’ Festive activities advertised by the tourism board include the Christmas tram, ice rinks, Christmas concerts, and, of course, the markets, reports the Express.

Helene’s video impressed social media users. Replying to the video, someone wrote: “Going next month!! Cannot wait. Thanks for this list.” Another fan said: “I need to see this.”

A commenter shared: “I loved the elf market in Cologne so much!” Someone else replied: “I’ve been to both Aachen and Cologne, this year I’ll be going to Duisburg! I am a big fan of Currywurst!”

They added: “I forgot Düsseldorf, I’ve been to that one too, but it wasn’t on your list.” A different viewer replied: “Yay. My town Cologne made it. Although I gotta visit Brussels and try that food.”

Nov. 14 (UPI) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Trump administration is giving certain Transportation Security Agency workers a $10,000 bonus for going “above and beyond” during the 43-day government shutdown.

She made the announcement Thursday during a news conference in Houston.

“I’m pleased to announce that under President [Donald] Trump, we are giving a $10,000 bonus to TSA officers across our nation who went above and beyond during the Democrats’ shutdown,” Noem said. “They guaranteed that America wouldn’t shut down — no matter how badly the Democrats wanted average Americans to feel the pain.

“Their unsung patriotism deserves recognition. President Trump and I are so grateful for these patriots.”

Noem praised TSA workers who showed up to work throughout the shutdown despite not receiving pay. A news release from the department highlighted two TSA agents who had perfect attendance during the shutdown — Reiko Walker and Ashley Richardson, who both worked at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

News outlet Semafor reported that back pay for Department of Homeland Security employees was expected to begin processing Wednesday.

Noem didn’t specify what metrics the Department of Homeland Security was using to determine who gets the bonus.

“We’re going to look at every individual that did exceptional service during this period of time when there were so many hardships,” she said during the news conference.

The Department of Homeland Security said it’s paying for the bonuses from leftover funds from fiscal year 2025.

Johnny J. Jones, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees’ TSA Council 100, described the bonuses as “great for some.”

“It’s better to give everybody a little something, because they all suffered and they all endured hard times during the last 43 days,” he said, according to The Hill.

The government shutdown caused thousands of flight cancellations and delays at U.S. airports amid a shortage in air traffic controllers. This shortage prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to cut flights by up to 6% at 40 major airports.

On Monday, Trump showed frustration with air traffic controllers who declined to show up to work without pay. He threatened to dock the pay of those who called out during the shutdown.

“For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the ‘Democrat Shutdown Hoax,’ I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

WHEN it comes to winter city breaks most Brits will look to the likes of Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels.

But there’s another contender coming for the crown, and it’s usually known for having glorious summers – but it has incredibly mild winters and is less touristy then too.

Time Out named Athens as ‘Europe’s most underrated winter city break‘ with the publication saying that the city “never goes into hibernation”.

The capital of Greece is known more for being a summer destination as it has scorching temperatures of around 30C.

However in winter, Athens can still be very mild. In November, Athens can still have highs of 20C and through the rest of winter, there are still highs of around 14C.

In November you can get one-way flights from £28 with Ryanair, and in January there are even cheaper flights from £20.

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With flights taking around three and a half hours it’s easy for Brits to go there for a weekend before returning to the UK.

Writer Jonathan, who visited Athens during the low season revealed it was better for getting about with there being less tourists.

He said: “It’s not hot, there are no queues, flights and hotels are cheap and we can get the best seats in any bar, café or restaurant.

“Why come a cropper up the Acropolis in August when you can beat the crowds and heat by visiting mid-winter?

“Athens is the perfect Greek city for an all-year-round mini-break, with lots to see and do.”

Thanks to its rich history, archaeological sites are the most popular places to see in Athens from Parthenon to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium.

Plaka is another popular spot, and it happens to be the oldest neighbourhood in Athens.

Jonathan visited Plaka, and revealed that just like the historical spots, it’s better in autumn and winter.

He said: “With narrow pedestrianised lanes, tourist shops and tavernas, it’s no surprise that the area is heaving in summer, but we had plenty of space to breathe and enjoy glimpses of The Acropolis in peace.

“For an even less crowded view, head to 360 Cocktail Bar where you can soak up not just the city’s sacred rock but views of the pastel-coloured buildings below, too.”

If you fancy a drink while in Plaka, check out the Brettos which is famous for a distillery that has made liqueurs and ouzo since 1909.

If you wanted to be especially bold, from Athens you can easily hop over to one of the nearby islands like Mykonos, Santorini or Paros.

The closest islands to Athens are Aegina and Agistri which are both reachable in about an hour by ferry from the port of Piraeus.

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Check out the stunning Santorini-dupe village hidden inside Greece’s capital…

Anafiotika in Athens is the cutest little neighbourhood that until recently flew completely under the radar for most visitors to the Greek capital.

On a recent trip to the city, Travel Writer Hope Brotherton made sure to stop by the area that has been likened to Santorini by visitors, thanks to its whitewashed properties and winding lanes.

Located on the northeastern side of the Acropolis Hill, Anafiotika was built by a group of construction workers from Anafi, a tiny Cycladic island near Santorini and Ios.

The area has become a star on social media and has been praised by travel bloggers and influencers alike – but I spotted the whitewashed area when I was having a drink at the MS Roof Garden.

Here you’ll find whitewashed buildings, but they are inhabited by locals. The streets are very narrow, making it hard to walk around without feeling like you’re invading someone’s privacy

For more on Greece, read more from an expert who visits the country 10 times a year and these are her favourite beaches.

Plus, the ‘Caribbean of Greece’ will soon be easier to get to thanks to new £3million marina.

WHILE holiday destinations in Spain and Portugal remain popular with Brits, one woman is on a mission to visit places a bit further afield.

Hannah Fry’s new series, The Infinite Explorer, sees her take a different approach to travel, looking at quirks of history and geography behind the locations of some of the world’s lesser-visited spots.

Hannah Fry, who is a traveller and professor, went around the world with National Geographic filming her new six-part series.

She headed to some off-the-beaten-track places within La Gomera in the Canary Islands, and an island off South Korea.

But one of the places she went to were first-time visits for her – and one spot that particularly impressed her was Vietnam.

She told Sun Travel: I wasn’t expecting to like Vietnam as much as I did. In my head, I haven’t really updated my opinion of it from like watching war movies, to be honest.

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“So I think I was expecting somewhere that was really poor, that was like struggling quite a lot and actually, that’s not what you find.

“Once you get there, there’s like skyscrapers and really posh hotels.

“There’s bustling tourism. I was really surprised by how quickly they’ve managed to kind of turn the story around from what it was in the past.

“It’s an amazing country, really beautiful, and the people were so like almost ridiculously friendly.”

Vietnam is consistently ranked as one of the most affordable countries for holidays.

The Post Office declared Hoi An in Vietnam as the top best-value long-haul destination when looking at the price of items from a cup of coffee to local lager, a cocktail to a three course evening meal.

It’s also affordable when it comes to luxury accommodation – Which? analysed five-star listings on Hotels.com and found the cheapest in Vietnam.

The Emerald Bay Hotel and Spa in Nha Trang, Vietnam was priced at £22 per night.

It has sea views on a rooftop terrace, two pools, and complimentary access to a private beach.

Meanwhile back in the UK, the average cost for a luxury hotel in London is around £535 to £580 per night.

Or in the likes of the Maldives and Dubai ,luxury resorts can set you back thousands.

Hannah also found that in Vietnam you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great food.

She told us: “To be honest, in Vietnam, you don’t even really need to go anywhere to get nice food – you could stop off at like what is effectively a motorway service station.”

Authentic food in Vietnam can cost as little as £8 and beers around £1 as one Sun Writer discovered on his recent trip to the country.

Another spot that Hannah ventured to was South Korea’s largest island, Jeju.

Talking about it, Hannah explained: “Jeju is absolutely stunning. Imagine Thailand, right? That’s what Jeju is like.

“It’s where all of the Koreans go on holiday, so it’s full of really fancy hotels. It’s got a proper jungle, rainforests, and lush greenery.

“There are unbelievably beautiful white sandy beaches – it’s stunning. Like paradise vibes, and with good Wi-Fi.”

It wasn’t all long-haul destinations, Hannah went to one of the most popular tourist spots for Brits, the Canary Islands.

However, she did go to one of the lesser-visited islands, La Gomera.

“It’s definitely much lesser known, especially compared to Tenerife -it was so quiet and much less drunk tourists!

“I can’t explain how beautiful these landscapes were – absolutely stunning, and lovely beaches.”

Hannah revealed that her travels were slightly less glamorous than she hoped.

She confessed: “I was freezing for most of it. Naturally, I was excited when they said – you have an entire series get to travel the entire world.

“But we filmed it all in winter – I was freezing. The warmest place we probably filmed in was Ireland.”

Back in the UK, Hannah actually likes to embrace the cooler weather.

“I love going to Cornwall – and when it’s grey and drizzly with the leaves on the ground I can just turn the fire on, have a cup of hot chocolate and read a book under a blanket.”

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The Infinite Explorer with Hannah Fry airs Thursdays at 8PM on National Geographic

Hannah’s adventures continue with her trip to South Korea, and you can catch up on previous episodes on National Geographic too.

THE LEAD up to Christmas hasn’t fully begun until Winter Wonderland opens, and today that is happening.

Every year one of the UK’s biggest Christmas markets returns to Hyde Park in London.

And this year, there are a number of changes.

I was one of the first to check it out – so here is my full rundown of everything that is worth it, from food and drinks to rides, as well as what you can skip.

The atmosphere

Winter Wonderland 2025 certainly has had a glow up.

The entrances all have exciting new themes and twinkling lights are everywhere.

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It feels a lot like Christmas has thrown up in Hyde Park, in the best way possible.

Throughout, the attention to detail is impressive.

For example, in the alpine-themed bar after you exit Bar Ice, there are disused ski lift pods changed into seating areas and heaters in every corner to ensure it is nice and toasty, despite still being outside.

The rides all glow and the music booms, but not too loud that you can’t hear yourself think.

Rides and existing attractions

For 2025, fan favourites have returned including rollercoasters, drop towers, a giant Ferris Wheel and Bar Ice.

The towering wheel, which is the largest travelling wheel in the world, has been upgraded with pods that close to keep you dry and warm.

For £10 per adult and £8 per child, I was skeptical, but you do get around four full rotations for that and the views are unmatched.

The Bavarian Hall is as big as ever, and offers the ideal spot to have as a base if you’re attending as a group of friends.

Bar Ice has also returned, and though this was the thing I was most skeptical about costing between £15.50 and £18 depending when you visit, for a 20 minute experience, it ended up being my favourite attraction.

The impressive bar made entirely of ice, features fantastical carved creations and has all been made in collaboration with Mixtons cocktails (which you get one included in the entry fee).

The cocktails are then served in a glass made entirely of ice.

In London, cocktails can often set you back upwards of £12, so when you think about it you’re paying around £5 for the experience – which in my opinion was more than worth it.

At the other end of the spectrum is the ice skating rink, which claims to be the UK’s largest open-air ice rink, which I find hard to believe having also visited Somerset House’s ice rink which I feel is bigger.

It costs between £11.50 and £17.50 per adult and £8.50 and £12.50 per child, and rather sneakily you are not allowed to take your bag onto the ice with you and are consequently forced to pay an additional £2 for the cloakroom.

The ice rink also sits at the edge of the attraction, and felt like it had been squeezed in and forgotten about – plus the entrance is super confusing to find.

Of all the attractions I visited, I would say this is the one to definitely miss.

Instead, head to Somerset House which costs from £15 per adult and from £10 per child and is in a stunning setting.

The new features

There are a number of new features at the event this year, including a good number of new attractions for kids.

Conveniently located next to the Red Gate (the recommended entrance if you want to head to more child-friendly activities), you will find the new Jingle Bell Bistro – a food market designed with kids in mind.

There are a number of street food vendors selling different child-friendly options, such as chicken nuggets and burgers.

Adults can also get food from here, but I think the idea is that it isn’t fussy food with all the bells and whistles, it is more core staples and comfort food that pleases everyone – a very good idea in my opinion.

Prices varied, including £8 per child-sized pasta dish, or £12 for an adult portion.

Just steps away from the new food area is Santa’s Grotto and Workshop, which is free to visit once inside Winter Wonderland.

The outside is impressive, looking as if it has just been plucked from the movie Elf – in fact, it made me want to be a kid again.

Visitors can explore the Elves Workshop where they help elves solve puzzles before heading into Santa’s Grotto, which is beautifully decked out with Christmas trees and Santa himself.

There is also the Dr. Archibald VR Experience (Horror Edition) from 5pm each day.

It features special effects and a lot of robotics, and is rather costly per turn at £7 per adult and £5 per child.

Though, maybe this is still designed for kids as throughout the entire ride I didn’t jump until the very end when the ride host came to lift up my safety bar… How ironic.

The Magical Ice Kingdom also has a new theme for this year based around the four elements.

Inside, you will find an abundance of carved ice creations all set in a -10C world, that truly are breathtaking to see.

It costs from £9 per adult and £7 per child to see, which I do think is on the steep side as the experience lasts about 15 minutes.

I would say it is more for families who don’t like the rides.

Another new spot for this year, this time for the adults, is the Après-Ski Themed Village with live DJs.

Sadly, upon our visit it was raining so there was no DJ playing and no one around, but I can imagine this area coming alive when it isn’t wet and windy.

There is also a new Zippos Christmas Circus (between £11.50 and £17 per adult and between £8.50 and £14 per child) show to check out, and a new Cirque Berserk (between £12.50 and £18 per adult and between £9.50 and £15.00 per child) show too.

Food and drink

Now let’s not lie… Every year TikTok and Instagram becomes full of people slating Winter Wonderland for its prices, and this includes food.

Winter Wonderland has loads of different places to grab food, but we headed to the Street Food Village, which is where you will find most of the meals you see go viral on social media.

And of course, we tried those options.

I opted for Stakehaus’ Xmas Sub, which was crowned the best Christmas sandwich in London by Time Out last year.

At £16.50 it certainly was the most expensive Christmas sandwich I have ever had (though I am not sure I can compare M&S Christmas edition sandwiches to this).

Encased in a soft bread bun, was dry-aged roast beef rump with gravy, sage and shallot crumble, parsnip crisps, cavolo Nero, cauliflower cheese with horseradish mayo.

And my word, it was as good as it sounds.

The gravy really helped to not make the whole thing dry, and the different textures made it truly feel like Christmas in a sandwich.

Admittedly, I would have perhaps liked to taste the horseradish a little more or have some cranberry.

The key thing to remember is that a lot of the vendors are in markets across the city, and when I compared prices between Stakehaus’ Winter Wonderland stall and their Camden Market one – I was please to see only 50p difference between their classic steak and fries option.

Fellow travel reporter Alice Penwill said: “The Mac Factory serves gourmet mac and cheese so of course I had to give their new Holy Quackaroni a try.

“It was £12.50 for a very generous portion, inside my pot was hot and creamy macaroni pasta topped with duck, cranberry sauce, crispy onions and two slices of brie – which if you leave long enough will melt on top.

“The cranberry sauce was a bit much for me and very sweet – but all in all it was delicious, and so filling I couldn’t even finish it.

“You’ll struggle with this one if you still you want room for dessert.”

Travel writer Jenna Stevens said: “I went for the Mango Box from fried chicken shack, Only Jerkin’.

“For £14.50 I was served a generous portion of mango and coconut chicken strips, jerk fries, coleslaw, BBQ sauce and a chilli mango aioli.

“I’m so used to paying hefty prices and being disappointed by small portions from street food vendors.

“But I have nothing to complain about here – the flavours were the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy, and the big portion kept me full all night.”

For dessert I opted for the viral London Cheesecake Company – a frozen vanilla cheese cake, dipped in melted chocolate and the covered in a topping of your choice.

Of course I added a trend to the trend by getting Dubai chocolate as my topping.

The dessert came in at £9 – admittedly expensive – and it was extremely decadent.

One can definitely be shared between two or three people.

I reckon for a family of four, for a main meal, dessert and drink each, you would be looking at the £100 mark.

Though, you could definitely skip dessert as the mains are super filling and if there is one thing to not miss, it is Stakehaus’ Xmas Sub.

Elsewhere we also found a pick n’ mix and of course had to grab some for nibbles between rides.

However, when selecting our chosen sweets it was hard to know how much it would cost.

At the specific stall we were at, there were no signs to tell you how much 100g would cost.

So, you can imagine the gut wrenching feeling I got when 425g of sweets (for reference that’s around the same weight as three bags of fruit pastilles) cost me a staggering £16.11.

For that, I got around 35 sweets – so I would say to avoid the sweet stalls like the plague.

When it came to drinks though, I was pleasantly surprised.

Mulled wine was £6.40, and whilst this is 30p more than last year, I don’t think it was ridiculous.

The same went for beer with a pint costing between £6.50 to £7.75, a double shot spirit and mixer came in at £11.50 and cocktails around £12.

Non-alcoholic drinks like Pepsi, 7UP or Tango would set you back £2.90 a can.

And that viral deluxe hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows? Well, it was still cheaper than heading to Starbucks (£4.85), at £4.70.

Prices to enter Winder Wonderland vary from free to over £7.50 during peak hours.

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If you are looking for more Christmas activities, these are the best affordable Christmas days out and festive fun events across the UK – either free or under £10.

Plus, the UK Christmas market that attracts nearly two million visitors is getting three new attractions.

THE best way to keep kids busy is to head to an indoor waterpark for the day.

So we’ve rounded up some of the biggest and best in Europe where is is always warm, with some as hot as 32C.

Suntago Water World, Poland

Having opened in 2020, Suntago Water World is now Europe’s biggest indoor waterpark.

Remaining around 32C, the 75,000sqm attraction has three zones – Jamango, Relax Suntago and Saunaria

Inside are 18 swimming pools, including a wave pools, thermal pools and baby pools.

And guests have a choice of 35 slides, ranging from big dual-riders to more gentle ones for smaller guests.

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Relax Suntago is for adults only, with thermal pools and hot tubs, while Saunaria is the spa area with steam rooms and saunas.

New this year was Crocodile Island, part of the Jamango area, which has climbing areas and games inside.

The rest of Jamango is great for smaller guests, with lazy rivers and baby pools.

Next year it will also be opening a new four-star hotel

Until then, guests can stay at the onsite ‘village’ with 92 bungalows sleeping up to eight people.

The best way to get to Suntago Water World is to fly to Warsaw, with the attraction around an hour by car.

Tropical Islands, Berlin

Tropical Islands was the largest indoor waterpark in Europe until Suntago opened.

Built inside a former aircraft hangar, it still has a number of record-breaking attractions.

This includes the world’s biggest indoor beach, and the world’s biggest indoor tropical rainforest.

The 10,000sqm waterpark has four sections – Water Worlds, Tropical Rainforest, Tropical Village and Amazonia.

Water Worlds is the main area with the large beach, sunglounger and palm trees as well as a swimming pool, water lagoon and water playground.

Tropical Rainforest has everything from 50,000 plants to flamingos and turtles while Tropical Village is the food, drink and souvenir area.

Themed by destination, it includes Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Bali as well as the new Hawaiian themed Ohana Town last year, with overnight lodges, bowling and karaoke.

Amazonia is the huge outdoor area, although most of this closes during the winter.

While there are lots of overnight lodges and camping areas for guests to stay in, there are plans for a new hotel although an opening date is yet to be confirmed.

The best way to get to Tropical Islands is to fly to Berlin, with the attraction around an hour away by car.

Rulantica, Germany

Rulantica is the waterpark of the Europa-Park theme park in Germany and opened back in 2019.

Spread across 32,600sqm, there are 14 themed zones a well as 50 slides and attractions.

It is always 32C so you can grab one of the 1,700 sunloungers to warm up.

For kids there are playgrounds, ‘water carousels’ and wave pools, with enough for both older children and toddlers.

Otherwise it has everything for adults too with swim up bars, steam rooms and saunas.

New last year was a huge outdoor water attraction although this is closed for the season.

The best way to get to Rulantica is to fly to Basel Airport with the waterpark around an hour away.

Sandcastle Waterpark, UK

When it comes to the UK, you need to head to Blackpool for the biggest indoor waterpark.

Sandcastle Waterpark opened in 1986 and sits at 29C all year round.

It is home to the UK’s longest indoor rollercoaster waterslide, Master Blaster, as well as a number of other slides.

Otherwise there are treehouses, lazy rivers, wave pools and even the biggest water cannon in the UK.

There are also treehouses and forts for kids to play on, as well as a wave pool and lazy river and the UK’s biggest water cannon.

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You can even hire Tiki Cabanas where you have a hot tub and drinks, or just visit the Waterfall Cafe for snacks.

The world’s longest straight road is in Saudi Arabia and is so long that a driver can travel for more than 150 miles without turning their steering wheel. Here’s everything you need to know about the highway

The world’s longest straight road is one which runs for around 150 miles without a single bend. The stretch of tarmac cuts through the Saudi Arabian Rub Al-Khali desert.

The Middle Eastern nation has become a major player in motorsport recently, playing host to the prestigious Dakar Rally, a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the Extreme E off-road championship. The country’s vast expanses of desert have provided the perfect canvas for creating spectacular racing circuits and roads.

But it’s not just racing drivers who benefit from Saudi Arabia’s unique geography. Highway 10, which links Haradh to Al Batha, stands as one of the region’s most remarkable routes – open to ordinary motorists.

Originally constructed for King Fahd through the heart of the Rub Al-Khali desert, it holds the Guinness World Record as the planet’s longest corner-free stretch of road. Motorists can cruise for around 240km (149 miles) without needing to turn their steering wheel once.

The record was previously held by Australia‘s Eyre Highway, which measured roughly 146km (91.25 miles) without a turn.

According to Guinness World Records, despite its extraordinary length, the journey doesn’t take as long as you might expect, reports the Express.

They noted: “Built originally as a private road for King Fahd (SAU), the stretch of Highway 10 connecting Highway 75 in the Haradh area to Highway 95 in the west of Saudi Arabia is 240 km (149 mi) long.

“It cuts through the desert with no bends left or right, or any appreciable gradient up or down. The super-straight stretch has an estimated driving time of around 2 hr.”

Officials have warned against speeding or dangerous driving on the road, as the monotonous landscape and absence of turns can leave drivers feeling falsely secure.

It’s not the only instance of Saudi Arabia’s fixation with linear design. The nation has begun construction on a £1trillion “smart city” set to be built in the country’s Tabuk Province.

Neom’s 110-mile-long metropolis – dubbed The Line – consists of two enormously-long parallel structures.

It is the vision of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who aims to liberate the Middle-Eastern nation from its reliance on fossil fuels and establish a fresh economy centred on science and leisure.

However, some who have been involved with the scheme have privately described the proposals as “untethered from reality”.

The metropolis has also been labelled as potentially lethal. The mirrored-glass construction is essentially a “giant greenhouse,” according to prominent design scientist Melissa Sterry.

With global temperatures climbing, June 2024’s 40C heatwave in Saudi Arabia resulted in over 1,000 deaths among those undertaking the traditional Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.

When it comes to knowing his way around Los Angeles, actor Martin Starr is an expert. Born in Santa Monica, Starr says his family moved around the region often. ”I lived in the Valley, Hollywood, Hancock Park, and ended up in Santa Monica again when I was 15,” Starr says.

In Sunday Funday, L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.

Today, the actor known for his role in the HBO comedy “Silicon Valley” and films like “Knocked Up” and the “Spider-Man” franchise, lives in Miracle Mile. His latest television role is on Paramount+’s crime drama “Tulsa King,” where he plays Bodhi, a weed store owner who has become a trusted member of a mobster’s (Sylvester Stallone) crew. The show’s third season finale airs Nov. 23.

“What I love most about L.A. is the people and the friends I’ve made over the years,” Starr says. “Aside from that, L.A. has some of the best food in the world. There’s plenty of fancy, Michelin-star restaurants, but there are so many delicious, moderately-priced places in L.A., and those are my favorites.”

Starr, a foodie who co-founded the candy company Sweet Stash with musicians Ezra and Adeev Potash (The Potash Twins), says his ideal Sunday includes a walk on the beach, eating enchiladas and playing video games or reading at home.

9:30 a.m.: Sleep in, then hydrate

I’m a lazy weekend guy. I often have to wake up early for work so it’s nice to take a little time for myself on a Sunday. After we wake up, my wife (Alex Gehring, bassist of the band Ringo Deathstarr) makes coffee for herself. I start the day with a glass of water or a matcha, then we’ll probably roll to a restaurant for breakfast.

10:30 a.m.: Get some really good pancakes

One of my favorite breakfast places is John O’Groats on West Pico. They don’t just do a side of fruit. They do cantaloupe, specifically, and I’ve grown to love it. I wouldn’t have chosen cantaloupe as the fruit to go to in my morning, but it turns out cantaloupe is pretty darn good. They make their own biscuits, which are delicious. They have a variety of really good pancakes. They do a seven-grain granola pancake that I really like.

If we don’t go there, we’d go to another great breakfast spot called Met Her at a Bar. That place is really tasty. The guy who opened it met his wife at a bar. They’ve got great French toast, and they do a Thai-style fried chicken and waffles. I just love the fresh-squeezed orange juice in both places.

Noon: Take a walk with Betty White

After breakfast, we’d go on a walk with our dog and have a lazy stroll around the neighborhood. Our dog is an all-white pit bull and her name is Betty White. We’d walk up through Hancock Park. There are some really pretty houses there, and it’s nice to just walk around. I grew up in that neighborhood for a bit too. I went to Third Street [Elementary] School so I’m pretty familiar with the area.

1 p.m.: Devour enchiladas by the beach

Then we’d go down to the beach. It’s a bit of a drive, but one of my favorite restaurants is there because I spent so much of my time as a youth in Santa Monica and Venice. It’s called Cha Cha Chicken, and is by far, my favorite restaurant in L.A. It’s in Santa Monica, one block east from the water, where Pico dead ends into the beach. I’d order the jerk chicken enchiladas, which comes with a side of rice and beans, mixed together. There’s a little chopped salad that comes on the side, too, and I love the dressing. The enchiladas have a sweet and spicy combo of sauces on top that are so good. And then I get the spicy Cuban fries. I always ask for them extra crispy, and they put a little spicy salt on top. I went there so much as a kid that I became friends with the owner, Ricky Prado. He inherited the place from his parents and took over. He and I took a trip once to Florida, where he met my dad, as I’ve met his whole family because they all worked at the restaurant.

2:30 p.m.: Stroll on Santa Monica State Beach

Next, we’d go for a walk on the beach to enjoy the beauty and fresh ocean air. There’s a little road that veers off from Cha Cha Chicken, and the Marvin Braude Bike Trail is right there. The Santa Monica Pier is north of there, and going south is the shopping area of Venice Beach. You can see sidewalk shows and all the fun performers when you go.

4:30 p.m.: Post-traffic puzzles and video games

The traffic to get back home would probably be an hour. There, Alex would probably do some crossword puzzles while I read or play video games for a bit. We’d put on some jazz music in the background. Or maybe we’d just go hang out on the porch and enjoy the day. We’re lounge folk. So when we have the opportunity, we just enjoy reading and crossword puzzles. It’s a simple life. We brought the Midwest to Los Angeles. All I need is a rocking chair.

6 p.m.: Happy Hour calls

After that, we might hit Happy Hour at Uchi West Hollywood. My wife is from Austin and her favorite restaurant opened up a place in L.A., so we go there every once in a while for a nice meal. It’s Japanese, but focused on sushi. If you sit at the bar, you can get happy hour all night.

7:30 p.m.: Keep the happy hour going into dinner

We’d eat some of our favorite food. My wife loves a particular sake and I love Mitsu Mitsu, which has ritual zero proof gin, rosemary and yuzu honey. Our favorite dish is called hama chill. It’s got little slices of Mandarin orange over yellowtail fish, with a little bit of Thai chill on top, and sits in a ponzu sauce. My wife loves edamame and I don’t. But this place has the best edamame so I can’t help but enjoy it. Some of them are a bit crisp, and there’s lemon juice and salt on it. It is so tasty. They course things out so you can really take your time and enjoy everything.

9 p.m.: Dessert on and off screen

We’d probably come back home, have a little dessert and watch either “The Great British Baking Show” or “Below Deck,” a drama-packed look inside the world of private yachting. You also get a good view of the interesting people who rent these yachts, and whether they’re good tippers or not.

11 p.m.: Go to bed, after a laugh

We’d go to bed but probably stay up for an hour just talking and laughing before we actually fall asleep. That would be a perfect Sunday.